GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations called on Tuesday
for Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh to be informed about
conditions in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state before they are allowed to
return voluntarily and in safety.
Bangladesh said on Tuesday it would complete the process
of returning within two years many of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya
Muslims who had fled a conflict in Myanmar, following a meeting of the
neighbours.
“Major challenges have to be overcome,” Andrej Mahecic,
spokesman of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told a Geneva
news briefing. “These include ensuring they are told about the situation in
their areas of origin ... and are consulted on their wishes, that their safety
is ensured.”